New look M&S at Liverpool Street as retailer plots 10 new and up to 50 revamped convenience stores
Marks & Spencer has reopened its mezzanine store at London’s Liverpool Street station following a transformation.
Launched in 2001 with franchise partner SSP as the first M&S convenience store at a mainline railway station, the space has been completely refreshed.
The store has been altered to give it an additional entrance and now features revamped chilled and floral sections. It also offers freshly baked bakery products and a more targeted Food On the Move range. Customers also benefit from more payment points, including three additional self-service tills to reduce waiting times.
The store’s main offering is “food for now” such as sandwiches, salads, bakery items and drinks. Customers looking to buy ready meals and ready to cook options have the option of visiting the second M&S store at Liverpool Street station in the West Mall.
Right stores in the right place and with the right space
Alex Freudmann, M&S Food managing director, said: “Our renewal programme is all about making sure we have the right stores in the right place and with the right space and this applies to our convenience stores as well.”
Working with franchise partners, the retailer is planning to open at least 10 new convenience stores and revamp up to 50 this year as part of plans to grow its £1 billion convenience business.
By the end of the year, M&S will have a presence in more than 40 UK train stations, including two new stores at Ealing Broadway, opened last month, and Belfast, opening in October, as well as in hospitals and airports across the UK.
Freudmann added: “The new renewal format for our convenience stores maximises these small spaces to deliver the M&S Foodhall experience for the missions our customers are shopping for as they travel.
“By renewing and growing our convenience estate, we’ll continue to deliver for our customers however, whenever and wherever they want to shop with us.”
M&S said the shop remains a “fantastic example” of its partnership with SSP. The group specialises in operating travel food and drink outlets and currently runs 55 franchised M&S convenience stores across rail and air locations, as well as in some hospitals.
